Top 15 Chicago Brunch Spots

Change up your brunch game with these 15 fantastic finds…

What you want out of brunch can depend on the kind of day you’re starting. It can be a time to indulge in multiple rounds of mimosas and trips to an all-you-can-eat buffet, a chance to share a few plates with friends or just a quick and healthy meal on the go. Whatever you’re looking for, these 15 new brunch spots will cater to your cravings.

Steadfast

120 W. Monroe St. 312-801-8899

Launched: Early January

Dishes: Get your day off to a decadent start with a s’mores doughssant—croissant dough fried and rolled in cinnamon sugar chocolate cream ($6)—followed by the Steadfast benedict made with brown butter hollandaise, housemade prosciutto, buttermilk biscuits and poached eggs ($13).

Drinks: Drink healthy with the Green City smoothie, local Greek yogurt blended with kale, apple, celery and fennel ($8) or treat yourself to a mimosa made with prosecco and cara cara orange juice ($12).

Baptiste & Bottle

101 E. Erie St. 312-667-6793

Launched: Dec. 10

Dishes: The bourbon-focused River North spot spikes its maple syrup, which you can pour over the orange creme anglaise-soaked brioche French toast ($14). The bagel topped with smoked salmon, smoked cream cheese, scrambled eggs and pickled red onion ($19) is a specialty.

Drinks: Try the bourbon made exclusively for Baptiste & Bottle by Koval Distillery infused with maple bacon and mixed with bitters in the Breakfast Old Fashioned ($12). You can also wake up with Irish coffee topped with whipped cream and nutmeg ($10).

Publican Anker

1576 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-904-1121

Launched: Jan. 15

Dishes: If you wake up seriously hungry, head to Wicker Park where you can dig into a plate of biscuits topped with mushroom gravy and fried eggs ($14) or the pub burger topped with American cheese and special sauce ($11.50). Add avocado, egg or bacon to your burger for $2 or mushrooms for $3.

Drinks: Drink your greens with the Verde Maria made with tequila, tomatillo, cucumber and avocado and served with Little Kings cream ale ($10) or opt for the refreshing Pub mimosa, a blend of Belgian wheat beer and orange juice ($8).

Kal’ish

1313 W. Wilson Ave. 773-293-7768

Launched: Jan. 15

Dishes: Vegans can still enjoy brunch classics at this Uptown spot, which uses egg substitutes for dishes like the Uptown Greek Omelette made with spinach, tomato, onion, feta, griddled potatoes and toast ($11.50) and Huevos Kal’cheros, which features crisp tortillas, beans, chili sauce, pico de gallo and avocado ($13.50).

Drinks: The fast-casual restaurant doesn’t serve any cocktails, but you can quench your thirst with a chilled glass of almond or rice milk ($3).

Brunch time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. No reservations.

Cinnamon Roll pancakes at Tobacco Road

Tobacco Road Tap Room

2249 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-661-6416

Launched: Dec. 17

Dishes: You don’t have to wait for the weekend to enjoy brunch fare like the cinnamon roll pancakes, a stack of three cinnamon pancakes topped with vanilla icing ($11) or skirt steak served with two eggs, hash browns and your choice of toast or a housemade biscuit ($17).

Drinks: The Lincoln Park spot brings its focus on food from the Carolinas to the bloody mary, which is garnished with hush puppies and cubes of Andouille sausage and pepper jack cheese ($8).

Brunch time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. Reservations accepted.

Park & Field

3509 W. Fullerton Ave. 765-426-6657

Launched: New Year’s Day

Dishes: A $30 brunch buffet features an omelet station and a seasonally changing array of dishes that has included maple-glazed pork belly, housemade pop tarts, brioche French toast and tofu scramble.

Bad Hunter

802 W. Randolph St. 312-265-1745

Launched: Early December

Dishes: The veggie-focused West Loop spot’s menu changes frequently, but current offerings include turmeric and mango croissants ($4) and granola griddle cakes served with housemade maple kefir and cranberry-ginger compote ($11).

Drinks: The menu of complex cocktails includes the Two Turtle Doves, a blend of two types of amaro, cranberry juice, rum and lemon served warm ($10). If you prefer to start your morning without booze but still want plenty of flavor, opt for the sparkling sencha or white chocolate and lavender matcha ($5).

Kitsune

4229 N. Lincoln Ave.

Launched: Jan. 29

Dishes: The tasting menu comes to brunch at the North Center spot, where $40 gets you a set of dishes including ramen, traditional Japanese salads, sashimi with rice, miso soup and sweets such as butter mochi and Japanese whiskey-glazed doughnuts.

Drinks: The restaurant is currently BYOB, though they plan to start serving cocktails soon.

Bar Lupo

217 W. Huron St. 312-643-3400

Launched: New Year’s Day

Dishes: Start by sharing a snack such as ricotta toast with black truffle, honey and dill ($6.99) then dig into the River North pub’s signature breakfast sandwich, which is made with fried Mortadella, egg, cheese, giardiniera and pistachio pesto ($11.99).

Drinks: Try a twist on the traditional Italian Aperol Spritz with the App App Spritz, which adds in apricot, or the Hugo Spritz featuring elderflower liqueur, mint and prosecco ($8.99 each).

Willow Room

1800 N. Halsted St. 312-982-2151

Launched: November

Dishes: Catching a matinee at Steppenwolf or The Royal George Theatre? Swing into this Lincoln Park spot first for a plate of waffles topped with lavender butter, blackberry jam and creme Chantilly ($12) or the winter salad, which features truffle salt, salt-roasted potatoes, blood oranges, feta and hazelnuts ($16).

Drinks: The menu features nine versions of the mimosa including the Autumn Solstice, where bubbly is blended with cinnamon apple cider syrup ($10). You can also build your own by ordering a bottle of prosecco with cranberry, orange, grapefruit and apple juices ($40).

Kimski

960 W. 31st St. 773-890-0588

Launched: Early January

Dishes: The Bridgeport spot changes its brunch menu up weekly, offering specials based on a monthly theme. February is Mexican and dishes have included Nopalitos con Huevos Revueltos, cactus paddles, tomato, onion, and poblano and serrano chilis sautéed with scrambled eggs and served with rice, fresh flour tortillas and pinto beans simmered with garlic, onion and serrano chilis ($10).

Drinks: The drink selection sticks to the basics with $8 bloody marys and $5 mimosas.

Brunch time: Noon-4 p.m. Sunday. No reservations.

Antique Taco

1000 W. 35th St. 773-823-9410

Launched: Jan. 1

Dishes: You can enjoy brunch all day at the Bridgeport counter-service spot, with options including breakfast tacos made with chorizo, egg, potato and peppers ($8) and chilaquiles featuring tomatillo salsa, cheese curds, two sunnyside-up eggs, housemade hot sauce, jalapeno, onion and cilantro ($9).

Drinks: The $6 michelada is the most popular brunch drink, though if you just need caffeine, you can grab a cup of cold-brewed Bridgeport Coffee ($4).

Cafe Robey

Dishes: Get your seafood fix at the Wicker Park spot with dishes including a smoked salmon benedict featuring sautéed spinach ($16) and a lobster roll on toasted brioche accompanied by spiced chips ($26).

Drinks: Wake up with a Metric Coffee espresso ($3) or cappuccino ($5) or relax with a cup of Gingerbread Dream or lemon chamomile tea from Rare Tea Cellars ($5).

Brunch time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. Reservations accepted.

Fifolet Cajun & Cocktails

1942 W. Division St. 773-384-6886

Launching: Feb. 11

Dishes: After a successful New Year’s Day brunch, the Wicker Park spot decided to open early every weekend to serve New Orleans-style fare including a shrimp creole scramble with parmesan, herbs and garlic toast ($11) and short stacks of Johnny cakes topped with honey butter, cayenne streusel and bourbon-spiked syrup ($7).